Record Set

Overview

A record set is a collection of resource records that belong to the same domain name. A record set defines DNS record types and values.

If you have created a zone on the DNS console, you can create record sets to expand the domain name or record its detailed information.

Table 1 describes the record set types and their application scenarios.

Table 1 Record set usages

Type

Where to Use

Usage

A

Public and private zones

Maps domains to IPv4 addresses.

CNAME

Public and private zones

Maps one domain name to another or multiple domain names to one domain name.

MX

Public and private zones

Maps domain names to email servers.

AAAA

Public and private zones

Maps domain names to IPv6 addresses.

TXT

Public and private zones

Specifies text records. TXT record sets are usually used in the following scenarios:

  • To record DKIM public keys to prevent email fraud.

  • To record the identity of domain name owners to facilitate domain name retrieval.

SRV

Public and private zones

Records servers providing specific services.

NS

Public and private zones

Delegates subdomains to other name servers.

  • For public zones, an NS record set is automatically created, and you can add NS records for subdomains.

  • For private zones, an NS record set is automatically created, and you cannot add other NS record sets.

SOA

Public and private zones

Specifies the master authoritative DNS server for a domain name. The SOA record set is created by the system and cannot be added manually.

CAA

Public zone

Grants certificate issuing permissions to CAs. CAA record sets can be used to prevent the issuance of unauthorized HTTPS certificates.

PTR

Private zone

Maps IP addresses to domain names.

Usage

Record sets are used in following scenarios:

  • Website domain name resolution

    A and AAAA record sets are usually used to build websites. They translate domain names into IP addresses.

    **Figure 1** Website domain name resolution

    Figure 1 Website domain name resolution

  • Private domain name resolution

    On a private network, A and AAAA record sets translate private domain names into private IP addresses.

    **Figure 2** Private domain name resolution

    Figure 2 Private domain name resolution

  • Email domain name resolution

    MX, CNAME, and TXT record sets are usually used for email services.

    **Figure 3** Email domain name resolution

    Figure 3 Email domain name resolution

  • Reverse resolution on a private network

    You can use PTR records to translate private IP addresses into private domain names.

    **Figure 4** Reverse resolution on a private network

    Figure 4 Reverse resolution on a private network